Great video! I love the addition of Primitivo to the tasting, it added a completeness to the experiment in a way. I feel you about blind tasting, one day I nailed a Soave Classico and the next I called languedoc chard a savennieres...

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Hahahahah the power of blind tasting

I love red zin. Got into them with Turley Zins back in the 90s.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Ohh they are iconic, tried to get some for this video but to no avail

Plenty of great tips and value there... I think for once I had more of US wines on Zinfandel and Primitivo from Puglia ! couple of Plavac Mali when I visited Croatia ... but still not the easiest to find over here in France

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

I remember our trips to Puglia together… Good times

Another outstanding blind! Thank you as I am a mega Zinhead (A. Rafanelli is great!) and I've had a few Primitivios but I've never tried any Plavac Mali. I will be running to my local wine shops in search of some. Thanks again and keep up the great work.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Thank you and enjoy the exploration. Croatian producers are mostly small so production is limited unfortunately.

Hi Matthew - Great video, though I beg for correction in the title! Plavac Mali is not Zinfandel's child - if anything, it could be its grandfather! (x-times detached, however). I was fortunate for having had the opportunity to participate in the making of a documentary on the origins of Zinfandel, conducted at UC Davis with Dr. Carole Meredith back in the late '90s, and her findings were, as you know, quite groundbreaking. Zinfandel is directly related to Primitivo di Gioia, yet it is unlikely that Zinfandel came from Italy because it had been grown in California before Primitivo is known to have been in Italy. Although not a direct relative of Plavac Mali, Zinfandel is presumed to have originated in Croatia, possibly from an ancient vine still tucked in some remote corner of Dalmatian Coast, likely having been brought over to California by some Croatian immigrants in the late 1800s. Thus, Zinfandel could very well be a seedling of Plavac Mali that sprung up in some old vineyard, and became a variety in its own right. Btw, I am Croatian living in California - talk about the best of oeno-zin worlds!

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Hvala! I’m in Croatia right now atm

@sacrecoeur1206

Жыл бұрын

@@drmatthewhorkey Enjoy, and keep us posted on the new findings! Atop all the Plavac, definitely do try Faros and Dingač. I am not a big fan of whites, though Grgich's local Pošip is superb too. Živjeli!

Kratoshija comes from Macedonia and not Montenegro. It's an ancient grape and our oldest wine. Comes from the region of Kratovo.

Great video M! Well done too on the blind tasting. The zin that got me big time was the 2007 Monster Zin from Norman Vineyards out of Paso Robles. Sadly, no more Norman Vineyards. It was introduced to me by my dad. I later introduced him to Linne Calodo also in Paso. They produce some pretty tasty Zin Blends (three blends and they are: Cherry Red, Problem Child, and Outsider). Hopefully, you'll be able to give them a try one of these days. Keep up the good work! Salud!

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the inside info

I had the Ghost Block in my Halloween special last year. It crushed! That Seghesio is really good too.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Good call on both. I agree

You dig deep into wines.Great wines!

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Nice new lighting 😄👍 And now I need Zinfandel 😫

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

BTW the fact that you noticed the lighting made me smile!

Great video! Ever done a video on Slovenian wines?

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

A lot, check the Slovenian Wine playlist on the channel main page

I had a Primitivo/Aglianico blend a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it, but still I wouldn't rush out to buy it.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Hahaah

Great cover and tasting! My brother brought some OVZ and to try against it I grabbed us a Primitivo - it was surprisingly dry, acidic, and fittingly “dusty”! Cheers 🎉

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

OVZ?

Great video. I typically don’t search out Zinfandel or Primitivio as a rule either although I have had some that I liked (less overtly sweet blends). I’ve had some other Croatian wines and based on what I know about my palette, I would prefer and enjoy the Plavac Mali…seems difficult to acquire in Ontario at this point though.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

There is an agent their called Croatia Unpacked I think so some wines are stocked at LCBO shops

Great video and a nice mix of familiar and geeky wines. I haven't tried Plava Mali yet, but hope I get the chance soon. Primitivo from Puglia is often overly alcoholic and too fruity and lacks balance and acidity. But you can also find savory, more well balanced ones, it's sort of hit and miss. My views of Californian Zinfandel over the years has changed, more open to trying it now. But the higher quality ones are pretty pricey, especially outside of the States.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Yes the prices of good Cali Zins has risen for sure. I like your call on savory Primitivos, they do exist!!!

I always look for Ridge zinfandels when dining out. Not often on listed even in some higher end restaurants even in California!

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Wowwzzasss. I love Lytton Springs and the Three Valleys for even more value.

@michaelmartino5100

Жыл бұрын

@@drmatthewhorkey y Yes! It was the Lytton Spring! Two bottles! Four of us had peppercorn New York strips. What a great evening! Looking to try the Monte Bello Zin!

Great video again buddy! Gotta try me some more premium Zinfandels, kinda skipped them along my Plavac ways ;) For me Milos Stagnum still reigns them all 😉

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!! Might there be a reason you are so partial to Plavac Mali??? 🤔🤣🤪

This is interesting- Last night I tasted my first Croatian wine, the 2021 Pomalo Plavina - light colored medium bodied red that tasted great chilled. On the subject of families - perhaps you might do a video about pinot blanc / pinot gris / pinot noir?

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Ahhhh Plavina is a unique and quite rare red grape, only a few producers in Croatia doing it. We’ll see about Pinot videos as white wine videos don’t perform so well unfortunately.

Zinfandel got me into wine. I was never into super sweet things but Zinfandel often had just the right level of subtle sweetness that made it easy for a beginner to drink. Nowadays I would say that I like pretty much all wine styles, if they are made well, but I need to be in the right mood for some of them and Zinfandel is not something I pick too often, usually I want something lighter.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Same, they have to be a select few producers otherwise they are just too big for my taste.

@itsmederek1

Жыл бұрын

For me it was Amarone for all the same reasons. Now it feels a bit like drinking cherry lemonade but back then it was the best thing ever.

Have you tasted some lodi zinfandels? Im a certified Sommelier and work at a restaurant in Lodi and if you haven't been out to lodi yet I would love to go tasting with you and learn from you. Its definitely worth the trip and we have a lot to offer besides bold zinfandels.

@drmatthewhorkey

5 ай бұрын

I’ve had plenty and hope to get out there someday soon!

Typically tend to avoid Zinfandel out of the fear of sweetness. Have had a couple primitivo’s but have always found them too jammy. Out of curiosity, I got a bottle of La Milliere Chateauneuf-du-Pape (the GSM) from my brother for Christmas. Have you ever had this bottle and/or have any thoughts on the taste and quality of this wine?

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Same for me, you really gotta know the right ones to get. Havent tried it, open it up and see!

Fantastic! If only Croatian wines were sold around here…

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Where are you at?

@christopherkent4350

Жыл бұрын

Northern Baltimore County. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve never actually looked for Croatian wines. For all I know, they could be in circulation near me and I just never noticed. I shall go forth and seek them out.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

@@christopherkent4350 My friend imports and distributes them (link in the description box)... it's NOT an affiliate link so if you want to check them out cool, if not no big deal!

Wow man the zin hate in these comments is incredible. I had a primativo di manduria not long ago that was just incredible. Some, but not too much residual sugar, big body, fruity and complex. One of my favorite wines to date

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Some can be surprisingly good!

Still haven't come across a Zinfandel I'd want a refill of, let alone buy. I find them sweet and high in alcohol. I can stomach them better if they're blended with a Cab or Syrah but still... so many other wines to choose from.

@nikolajkrarup8750

Жыл бұрын

Same here. Neither from.us or Italy.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Same here for the most part with the exception of a handful of producers.

Ever tried late-harvest Zinfandel?? 😋

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

I have!

I find it quite ironic that one of the mainstream trends in The Netherlands is reds like Primitivo and Negroamaro, while these same people are often scared when I recommend a rielsing because they think it all Rieslings (or even german wines for that matter) are sweet. I’ve started telling some people the rest sugar in our most bought primitivo as an experiment to see if they would consider a variety of wines instead of ripasso amarone primitivo ect.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Ahhh they are scared up there really? Biggest market for Primitivos is northern European countries

Another benchmark for Plavac Mali, especially for Komarna region. Great video Matthew. I was recently having a discussion with a Croatian wine maker about the ageing potential of PM. Your examples were over 5 years old, I believe. What is your opinion on that? Can a quality PM age well over 10 years?

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

I’ve had some pretty old ones and it depends. When not handled well, the tannins don’t soften. I bet these will age nicely though

Hey Mathew, if you could please slow down just a bit I would appreciate it :)

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

There is an option in YT to play at slower speed

I do not particularly like the zinfandel I have had. I absolutely love plavac mali.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Ohhhh nice you’ve had it before!

@jeffpatterson8119

Жыл бұрын

@@drmatthewhorkey always looking for new grapes! Not easy to find but the owner of a local shop loves it and always keeps a couple in stock.

the only wine old enough to drive proofwise.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

???

@typerightseesight

Жыл бұрын

@@drmatthewhorkey its like 16%.. abv. aka old enough to drive. ..lol. dumb joke.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

HHhHh my bad, sometimes I’m slow 😛

@typerightseesight

Жыл бұрын

@@drmatthewhorkey 😂

I have had several Primitivo de Mandurias and I can say with confidence, it is one of the worst red wine styles I have tried 😅

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Hahahahhaha it’s no surprise that it isn’t my favorite either. That being said, there are some good ones out there that keep the residual sugar down

Primitivo has to much rs? They taste dry to me.

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

RS can give the perception of body and tone down alcohol. Primitivos often (not always) push the edge of RS that is allowed in dry wines

Zinfandel..... 95% of wine, on that grape is "made" plunk in my oppinion. I dont think i can remember the last time i had a zin, that i would call good.. sorry just not for me at all.. Last time i was visiting friends they served a bottle of 1000 stories, burbon cask.. i was in chock, that anyone would make a wine like that, and then sell it 😁 But again, taste isent really up for debate, its just diffrent ...

@drmatthewhorkey

Жыл бұрын

Usually not for me either but there are some good ones out there!

@henriklindhansen6456

Жыл бұрын

@@drmatthewhorkey yes for sure, just haven found them yet. and im not going to pay 50 dollars + for a maby good wine. too much really good stuff in that range.